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Why We LOVE Appetizers

When entertaining guests its easy to get caught up in the details of the menu.

An important life lesson I learned from Jenny, my very first customer, is that while the food/beverages are important, the gathering is more about the people and the experience than the amount or type of food you serve. No one will remember what they ate-but will remember feeling welcomed and at home at your gathering.

Jenny, the wife of a professional athlete, unashamedly drank and served wine from a box as she declared "grapes are grapes-wine is wine"; used her index finger stuck in the center of casseroles to test for "done-ness" ; and shrugged off burnt garlic bread side dishes and with "that's life in the big city kid". I learned so much from working with her and watching her entertain, (which she did quite often), particularly her selection & presentation of appetizers. It was at Jenny's gatherings that I first saw a "Shrimp Tree" assembled by attaching shrimp to a foil-covered foam cone with toothpicks, and other food presented in vessels other than an ordinary plate or tray. (Party Genie's Crudité Stations are patterned after the way Jenny would present hers-simply yet artfully with as many different varieties and colors as possible. )

Party planning experts will even tell you that while you want to prepare something delicious for your guests, keep it simple! Simple, recognizable, easy-to-prepare food, presented in creative ways, lets your guests know that you care enough about them to leave yourself free to mingle and make memories rather than in the kitchen cooking while your party is happening.

This is why we love appetizers! They can be prepared quickly, simply and even ahead of time and leave you stress-free as your guests arrive. In fact, in my humble opinion, I would just be happy to serve appetizers & other finger foods and a box of wine and every event, and call it a party!

You can start your soiree off right with these party foods and easy recipes for dips, spreads, finger foods, and appetizers:Blue Cheese Crostini with Balsamic-Roasted Grapes...Party-Perfect Meatballs...Marinated Mozzarella...Mustard-Dill Tortellini Kebobs...Shrimp Mojo de Ajo...There are about 80 different appetizers at the top link below - (Courtesy of Southern Living - and 15 more at the second link (You're Welcome!) so easy to prepare - visually & gastric-ally appealing - for your next casual or elegant gathering. The hardest part will be narrowing down your favorites!

Which one(s) would you like to try?

Do you have any other favorite appetizer recipes to add? If so tell us in the comments area!

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